Master device for using connection attribute of electronic accessories connections to facilitate locating an accessory

ABSTRACT

A connection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronic device from an electronic accessory. The connection-indicative signal can include a connection attribute indicative of a presence or characteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. A location of the master electronic device can be determined at the master electronic device. The location can be stored at the master electronic device in association with the connection attribute. The master electronic device can detect a locate-accessory input that corresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronic accessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based on another connection attribute included in another connection-indicative signal received from the electronic accessory. The stored location can be retrieved in response to the detecting. A presentation that includes location information that corresponds to the stored location can be presented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/560,649, filed Dec. 4, 2014,entitled “MASTER DEVICE FOR USING CONNECTION ATTRIBUTE OF ELECTRONICACCESSORIES CONNECTIONS TO FACILITATE LOCATING AN ACCESSORY,” which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

The present disclosure is related to U.S. application Ser. No.14/560,474, filed on Dec. 4, 2014, entitled “ELECTRONIC ACCESSORY FORDETECTING AND COMMUNICATING A CONNECTION ATTRIBUTE CORRESPONDING TOANOTHER ELECTRONIC ACCESSORY,” which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to using direct or indirectconnection attributes to track a location of each of one or moreelectronic accessories of a master electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices are becoming increasingly interconnected. Byestablishing connections between devices, a performance capability,convenience and/or user appeal can be expanded beyond what a singledevice could provide. A drawback is that user handling of multipledevices is cumbersome. This can be particularly pronounced when aconnection is a wired connection, as a user must then not only track andposition multiple devices but also the wired connector. Technology canenable devices to communicate wirelessly, though this has a consequenceof eliminating a physical tether between the devices, such that it canbe easier to misplace, drop or forget one of the devices.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method can be provided. Atan electronic accessory of a master electronic device, a connectionattribute can be detected that is indicative of a presence or acharacteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and atleast one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. Aconnection-indicative signal can be generated at the electronic devicethat includes the connection attribute. The connection-indicative signalcan be transmitted to the master electronic device.

In some embodiments, an electronic accessory of a master electronicdevice can be provided. The electronic accessory can include one or moreprocessors and a computer-readable storage medium containinginstructions, that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform actions. The actions can includedetecting, at the electronic accessory of the master electronic device,a connection attribute that is indicative of a presence or acharacteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and atleast one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device.The actions can further include generating, at the electronic accessory,a connection-indicative signal that includes the connection attribute.The actions can still further include transmitting theconnection-indicative signal to the master electronic device.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include aconnection assessment module for detecting, at an electronic accessoryof a master electronic device, a connection attribute that is indicativeof a presence or a characteristic of a connection between the electronicaccessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device. The system can also include a signal generationmodule for generating, at the electronic accessory, aconnection-indicative signal that includes the connection attribute. Thesystem can further include a transceiver module for transmitting theconnection-indicative signal to the master electronic device.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include amaster electronic device. The system can also include an electronicaccessory of the master electronic device. The electronic accessory caninclude one or more processors and a computer-readable storage mediumcontaining instructions, that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions. Theactions can include detecting, at the electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device, a connection attribute that is indicative of apresence or a characteristic of a connection between the electronicaccessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device. The actions can further include generating, at theelectronic accessory, a connection-indicative signal that includes theconnection attribute. The actions can still further include transmittingthe connection-indicative signal to the master electronic device.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include anelectronic accessory of a master electronic device. The electronicaccessory can include one or more processors and a computer-readablestorage medium containing instructions, that, when executed by the oneor more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions.The actions can include detecting, at the electronic accessory of themaster electronic device, a connection attribute that is indicative of apresence or a characteristic of a connection between the electronicaccessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device. The actions can further include generating, at theelectronic accessory, a connection-indicative signal that includes theconnection attribute. The actions can still further include transmittingthe connection-indicative signal to the master electronic device. Thesystem can further include the at least one other electronic accessory.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method can be provided. Aconnection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronicdevice from an electronic accessory of the master electronic device. Theconnection-indicative signal can include a connection attribute that isindicative of a presence or a characteristic of a connection between theelectronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of themaster electronic device. A location of the master electronic device canbe determined at the master electronic device. The location can bestored at the master electronic device in association with theconnection attribute. The master electronic device can detect alocate-accessory input received at the master electronic device thatcorresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronicaccessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based onanother connection attribute included in another connection-indicativesignal received from the electronic accessory. The stored location canbe retrieved in response to the detecting. A presentation that includeslocation information that corresponds to the stored location can bepresented.

In some embodiments, a master electronic device can be provided. Themaster electronic device can include one or more processors and acomputer-readable storage medium containing instructions, that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto perform actions. The actions can include receiving, at the masterelectronic device, a connection-indicative signal from an electronicaccessory of the master electronic device. The connection-indicativesignal can include a connection attribute that is indicative of apresence or a characteristic of a connection between the electronicaccessory and at least one other electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device. The actions can also include determining, at themaster electronic device, a location of the master electronic device andstoring, at the master electronic device, the location in associationwith the connection attribute. The actions can further includedetecting, at the master electronic device: a locate-accessory inputreceived at the master electronic device that corresponds to a requestto locate the at least one other electronic accessory; or that alocate-accessory condition is satisfied based on another connectionattribute included in another connection-indicative signal received fromthe electronic accessory. The actions can still further includeretrieving, in response to the detecting, the stored information andpresenting a presentation that includes location information thatcorresponds to the stored location.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include atransceiver module for receiving, at a master electronic device, aconnection-indicative signal from an electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device that includes a connection attribute that isindicative of a presence or a characteristic of a connection between theelectronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of themaster electronic device. The system can also include a locationdetector module for determining, at the master electronic device, alocation of the master electronic device and a location history modulefor storing, at the master electronic device, the location inassociation with the connection attribute. The system can furtherinclude a device director module for detecting, at the master electronicdevice: a locate-accessory input received at the master electronicdevice that corresponds to a request to locate the at least one otherelectronic accessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfiedbased on another connection attribute included in anotherconnection-indicative signal received from the electronic accessory. Thelocation history module can further be for, in response to thedetecting, retrieving the stored location. The system can also includean interface module for presenting a presentation that includes locationinformation that corresponds to the stored location.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include amaster electronic device that can include one or more processors and acomputer-readable storage medium containing instructions, that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto perform actions. The actions can include receiving, at the masterelectronic device, a connection-indicative signal from an electronicaccessory of the master electronic device that includes a connectionattribute that is indicative of a presence or a characteristic of aconnection between the electronic accessory and at least one otherelectronic accessory of the master electronic device. The actions canalso include determining, at the master electronic device, a location ofthe master electronic device and storing, at the master electronicdevice, the location in association with the connection attribute. Theactions can further include detecting, at the master electronic device:a locate-accessory input received at the master electronic device thatcorresponds to a request to locate the at least one other electronicaccessory; or that a locate-accessory condition is satisfied based onanother connection attribute included in another connection-indicativereceived from the electronic accessory. The actions can still furtherinclude retrieving, in response to the detecting, the stored locationand presenting a presentation that includes location information thatcorresponds to the stored location. The system can also include theelectronic accessory.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method can be provided. Aconnection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronicdevice from an electronic accessory of the master electronic device thatincludes a connection attribute that is indicative of a presence or acharacteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and atleast one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device. Adetermination can be made, at the master electronic device and based onthe connection attribute, that an alert condition is satisfied. Inresponse to determining that the alert condition is satisfied, apresentation of an alert can be facilitated.

In some embodiments, a master electronic device can be provided that caninclude one or more processors and a computer-readable storage mediumcontaining instructions, that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions. Theactions can include receiving, at the master electronic device, aconnection-indicative signal from an electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device that includes a connection attribute that isindicative of a presence or a characteristic of a connection between theelectronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of themaster electronic device. The actions can also include determining, atthe master electronic device and based on the connection attribute, thatan alert condition is satisfied. The actions can further include, inresponse to determining that the alert condition is satisfied,facilitating a presentation of an alert.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include atransceiver module for receiving, at a master electronic device, aconnection-indicative signal from an electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device that includes a connection attribute that isindicative of a presence or a characteristic of a connection between theelectronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of themaster electronic device. The system can also include an alertcoordination module for determining, at the master electronic device andbased on the connection attribute, that an alert condition is satisfied.The alert coordination module can further be for, in response todetermining that the alert condition is satisfied, facilitating apresentation of an alert.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include amaster electronic device that can include one or more processors and acomputer-readable storage medium containing instructions, that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto perform actions. The actions can include receiving, at the masterelectronic device, a connection-indicative signal from an electronicaccessory of the master electronic device that includes a connectionattribute that is indicative of a presence or a characteristic of aconnection between the electronic accessory and at least one otherelectronic accessory of the master electronic device. The actions canalso include determining, at the master electronic device and based onthe connection attribute, that an alert condition is satisfied and, inresponse to determining that the alert condition is satisfied,facilitating a presentation of an alert. The system can also include theelectronic accessory.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method can be provided. Aconnection-indicative signal can be received at a master electronicdevice from an electronic accessory of the master electronic device thatincludes a connection attribute indicative of a characteristic of aconnection between the electronic accessory and at least one otherelectronic accessory of the master electronic device. Locationinformation can be estimated at the master device. The locationinformation can be indicative of an estimated location of the at leastone other electronic accessory. The estimation can be based on theconnection attribute. A presentation can be presented that includes thelocation information.

In some embodiments, a master electronic device can be provided that caninclude one or more processors and a computer-readable storage mediumcontaining instructions, that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions. Theactions can include receiving, at the master electronic device, aconnection-indicative signal from an electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device that includes a connection attribute indicative of acharacteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and atleast one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device.The actions can also include estimating, at the master electronic deviceand based on the connection attribute, location information that isindicative of an estimated location of the at least one other electronicaccessory. The actions can further include presenting a presentationthat includes the location information.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include atransceiver module for receiving, at a master electronic device, aconnection-indicative signal from an electronic accessory of the masterelectronic device that includes a connection attribute indicative of acharacteristic of a connection between the electronic accessory and atleast one other electronic accessory of the master electronic device.The system can also include a device director module for estimating, atthe master electronic device and based on the connection attribute,location information that is indicative of an estimated location of theat least one other electronic accessory. The system can further includean interface module for presenting a presentation that includes thelocation information.

In some embodiments, a system can be provided. The system can include amaster electronic device that can include one or more processors and acomputer-readable storage medium containing instructions, that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto perform actions. The actions can include receiving, at the masterelectronic device, a connection-indicative signal from an electronicaccessory of the master electronic device that includes a connectionattribute indicative of a characteristic of a connection between theelectronic accessory and at least one other electronic accessory of themaster electronic device. The actions can also include estimating, atthe master electronic device and based on the connection attribute,location information that is indicative of an estimated location of theat least one other electronic accessory. The actions can further includepresenting a presentation that includes the location information. Thesystem can also include the electronic accessory.

The following detailed description together with the accompanyingdrawings will provide a better understanding of the nature andadvantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a master electronic devicecommunicating with multiple electronic accessories of the masterelectronic device.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic accessoryaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a master electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example schematic diagram of an electronic accessoryaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example schematic diagram of a master electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for coordinating audio play viamultiple electronic accessories of a master electronic device inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process for detecting, storing and/ortransmitting a connection attribute pertaining to an electronicaccessory of a master electronic device in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process for generating and presentinglocation information pertaining to an electronic accessory of a masterelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an example of a representation of a data structure storingconnection attributes pertaining to an electronic accessory of a masterelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are flow diagrams of processes for facilitatingpresentation of an alert pertaining to an electronic accessory of amaster electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process for coordinating presentation ofan alert pertaining to an electronic accessory of a master electronicdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a master electronicdevice can be configured to communicate with one or more electronicaccessories (e.g., via pairing). The master electronic device cancommunicate directly with a first “primary” electronic accessory (e.g.,via a short-range network, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE)) andindirectly with a second “secondary” electronic accessory (e.g., via theprimary electronic accessory, which can communicate with the secondaryelectronic accessory via another short-range network, such as anotherBTLE network). Each of the accessories can include a speaker, earphone,headphone and/or ear bud.

The master electronic device can repeatedly identify a connectionattribute indicative of a presence or characteristic (e.g., strength) ofa connection between itself and the primary electronic accessory.Similarly, the primary electronic accessory can repeatedly identify aconnection attribute indicative of a presence or characteristic (e.g.,strength) of a connection between itself and the secondary electronicaccessory and can send a connection-indicative signal with theconnection attribute to the master electronic device. Thus, the masterelectronic device can have access to data that indirectly indicates howproximate a secondary electronic accessory is to the master electronicdevice, even when there is no direct connection between the secondaryelectronic accessory and the master electronic device. For eachconnection attribute (e.g., associated with either accessory), themaster electronic device can detect a position of the master electronicdevice at a time corresponding to the connection attributeidentification.

In some instances, the master electronic device can detect a weakeningor weak connection attribute (e.g., identifying that a connectionstrength or change in connection strength is below a defined threshold).The master electronic device can then coordinate presentation of analert (e.g., an audio alert) on the master electronic device or weaklyconnected accessory.

In some instances, one or more connection attributes and devicepositions can be stored in a data structure. When a user then providesinput corresponding to a request to locate an electronic accessory, themaster electronic device can use the data structure to identify a recentlocation of the master electronic device corresponding to a strongconnection attribute (e.g., indicating that a connection with theaccessory was present and/or strong) and can provide locationinformation corresponding to the identified location. The locationinformation can identify the location and/or can include static ordynamic directions to the location.

In some instances, a real-time connection attribute can be used togenerate location information. A connection attribute can be (e.g.,repeatedly) identified as a master electronic device moves. One or moreconnection attributes can then be used to estimate an absolute locationor relative location (e.g., relative to the master electronic device) ofthe accessory, and the location or directions to the location can beprovided.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a master electronic devicecommunicating with multiple electronic accessories of the masterelectronic device. In this illustration, a master electronic device 105can communicate over a network (e.g., a WiFi network 110) with one ormore remote servers 115. A remote server 115 can include, for example,one hosting a server application, an email server, a web server and/or aserver hosting remote storage. Master electronic device 105 can includea portable and/or hand-held electronic device, such as a smart phone,smart wearable device (e.g., a necklace, headband, clip, belt, bracelet,watch, pair of glasses, armband, or ear piece), and/or a portableelectronic device for playing and/or storing digital media files (e.g.,audio and/or video files).

Master electronic device 105 can be configured to perform variousfunctions, such as coordinating play of audio and/or video files,receiving and/or sending messages (e.g., email or short message service(SMS) messages), receiving and/or initiating phone calls, accessing webpages, and/or initiating and/or coordinating a payment transfer. Masterelectronic device 105 can communicate with one or more electronicaccessories 120 and 125 over one or more networks, such as short-rangeconnections 130 a and 130 b. In some instances, one electronic accessorycan be designated as a “primary” electronic accessory 120 and anotherelectronic accessory can be designated as a “secondary” electronicaccessory 125 in that some or all of communications between masterelectronic device 105 and secondary electronic accessory 125 areexchanged via primary electronic accessory 120. Master electronic device105 can be paired to primary electronic accessory 120, and primaryelectronic accessory 120 can be paired to secondary electronic accessory125. Thus, master electronic device 105 can directly communicate (e.g.,which can include wireless communication) with primary electronicaccessory 120 and can communicate with secondary electronic accessory125 indirectly, in that another user device is involved in relayingand/or routing communications (or processed versions thereof) betweenthe devices. In some instances, a designation of an accessory as being aprimary or secondary is fixed, while in others, it can change (e.g.,based on a pairing order, proximity to master device 105, and/or userinput).

Electronic accessories 120 and/or 125 can include any electronic devicethat can coordinate with master electronic device 105 to facilitateperformance of an operation. In various instances, an electronicaccessory 120 and/or 125 may, or may not, be configured to perform anoperation independently of a master device. For example, an electronicaccessory can include an earphone that cannot play an audio file (e.g.,due to a lack of storage space for audio files and/or audio-playsoftware) without being connected to a master device to coordinate suchplay. One or both of primary electronic accessory 120 and secondaryelectronic accessory 125 can include or can be, for example, a speaker,headphone, microphone, earphone, peripheral, mouse, track pad, keyboard,wearable device (e.g., a necklace, headband, clip, belt, bracelet,watch, pair of glasses, armband, or ear piece), display, electronic case(e.g., that is configured to transmit and/or receive signals, to detecta presence of one or more electronic items in the case and/or to chargeone or more electronic items) and/or phone.

In some instances, electronic accessories 120 and 125 are a same orsubstantially similar device type, include some or all same type ofcomponents, are capable of performing some or all of same orsubstantially similar types of operations, and/or are of same orsubstantially similar size and/or shape. In some instances, each ofmaster electronic device and primary electronic accessory 120 and/orsecondary electronic accessory 125 are associated with a same useraccount. For example, a pairing between primary electronic accessory 120and master electronic device 105 can cause an identifier of primaryelectronic accessory 120 to be associated with a user account at masterelectronic device 105 or a remote server or can cause primary electronicaccessory 120 to locally store an identifier of the user account. Apairing between secondary electronic accessory 125 and master electronicdevice 105 and/or primary electronic accessory 120 can have a similareffect.

Each of master electronic device 105 and primary electronic accessory120 can (e.g., repeatedly) identify a connection attribute that isindicative of a presence and/or characteristic of a connection withprimary electronic accessory 120 and secondary electronic accessory 125,respectively. For example, a connection attribute can indicate when anyconnection with the primary or secondary electronic accessory ispresent, a protocol of the connection (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, BTLE,Ultra-Wideband, WiFi-Direct, Zigbee, Universal Plug and Play, near-fieldcommunication or sound frequency), a strength of the connection, alatency of the connection, and/or a link parameter.

In some instances, the attribute-identifying device (master electronicdevice 105 and/or primary electronic accessory 120) can transmit theconnection attribute in a connection-indicative signal to another device(e.g., master electronic device 105 can transmit the signal to remoteserver 115 and primary electronic accessory 120 can transmit the signalto master electronic device 105). In some instances, theattribute-identifying device (master electronic device 105 and/orprimary electronic accessory 120) and/or a device receiving aconnection-indicative signal with the connection attribute can store theconnection attribute. The connection attribute can be stored inassociation with a time and/or location (e.g., an estimated location ofthe attribute-identifying device and/or device receiving aconnection-indicative signal).

Identifications and/or relaying of connection attributes can facilitatepreventing loss or theft of an electronic accessory and/or canfacilitate locating an electronic accessory. For example, an alertcondition can be defined to detect a weak or weakening connection, suchas by detecting a lack of a connection (generally or using a particularprotocol), a connection strength or link parameter (or change instrength or parameter) below a defined threshold, or a connectionlatency (or change in latency) above a defined threshold. The conditioncan be assessed by (for example) by master electronic device 105, andsatisfaction of the condition can facilitate presentation of an alert(e.g., an audio alert) at the master electronic device 105, primaryelectronic accessory 120 and/or secondary electronic accessory 125.

As another example, a connection attribute can be used to provide a userwith location information for an accessory. In one instance, upondetecting a locate-accessory request input, master electronic device 105can identify a recent connection attribute associated with theaccessory, such as a most recent attribute indicating that a connectionexisted with the accessory, that a strength or link parameter of aconnection with the accessory was above a threshold or at a localmaximum or a latency of a connection with the accessory was below athreshold or at a local minimum. Master electronic device 105 canidentify location associated with the identified connection attribute(e.g., an estimated location of master electronic device 105 at a timecorresponding to an identification of the connection attribute) and canprovide location information corresponding to the location (e.g., byidentifying the location or providing directions to the location).

In one instance, master electronic device 105 can generate and presentlocation information based on a real-time connection attribute. Forexample, master electronic device 105 can detect whether a connectionattribute is improving or degrading (e.g., whether a connection strengthis increasing or decreasing) as the device is moved and can providedirections accordingly.

Transmitting connection-indicative signals with connection attributescan enable indirect tracking capabilities. Indirect tracking can beuseful, for example, both when one device is not configured to directlycommunicate with another device and/or when one device is unable tosuccessfully communicate with the other device (e.g., due to a largedistance separation).

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic accessory 200(e.g., a primary electronic accessory 120) according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. Electronic accessory 200 can include atransceiver module 205 to (e.g., wirelessly) receive and/or sendcommunications to one or more other devices (e.g., master electronicdevice 105 and/or secondary electronic accessory 125). Transceivermodule 205 can be configured to receive and/or send communications usinga particular protocol, such as a WiFi, Bluetooth, BTLE, Ultra-Wideband,WiFi-Direct, Zigbee, Universal Plug and Play, near-field communicationor sound frequency protocol. It will be appreciated that, in someinstances, transceiver module 205 can include multiple transceiversub-modules. For example, different transceiver sub-modules can beconfigured to use different protocols. Transceiver module 205 caninclude, for example, an antenna, a Bluetooth transceiver, and/or aninductor. It will also be appreciated that transceiver module 205 caninclude one or more receiver modules and/or one or more transmittermodules.

Transceiver module 205 can receive a multi-channel operation signal froma master electronic device. A signal splitting module 210 can extract atleast one channel from the signal. For example, a multi-channeloperation signal can include data for each of multiple accessoriesand/or a primary and a secondary channel. In a particular illustration,a multi-channel operation signal can include two audio channels (e.g., a“right” channel and a “left” channel). Data from one extracted channel(e.g., a primary channel) can be availed to a corresponding operationmodule, such as an audio module 215. The operation module can thenperform an operation based on the channel data. For example, audiomodule 215 can play an audio signal corresponding to the one extractedchannel.

Remaining data can be relayed (via a transceiver module) to at least oneother electronic accessory. In some instances, the multi-channeloperation signal (e.g., including all channels) is relayed to the otherelectronic accessory. In some instances, another channel (e.g., asecondary channel) is extracted from the multi-channel signal and sent(e.g., in a single-channel signal) to the other electronic accessory.The other electronic accessory can then perform an operation based ondata in the other channel (e.g., such that the electronic accessory andother electronic accessory play complementary audio data).

Electronic accessory 200 can also include a connection assessment module220 that identifies a connection attribute pertaining to another device(e.g., an other electronic accessory). For example, a connectionattribute can indicate whether electronic accessory 200 is at all ableto communicate with the other device, is paired with the other device orable to communicate with the other device using a particular protocol(e.g., BTLE, Bluetooth or another short-range protocol). As anotherexample, a connection attribute can identify a characteristic of anexisting connection with the other device (e.g., a connection strength,latency, protocol or link parameter). As yet another example, aconnection attribute can identify a change in a connection, such as adisconnection, a connection, or an increase or decrease in a connectioncharacteristic.

In some instances, connection assessment module 220 can repeatedlyidentify a connection attribute. For example, a connection attributepertaining to a given device can be identified at regular timeintervals, at defined times, and/or upon detecting an event (e.g., afailed communication transmission or an incoming communication).

A signal generation module 225 can generate a connection-indicativesignal to include the identified connection attribute. Theconnection-indicative signal can also include, for example, a time andan identifier of the device corresponding to the connection attribute. Aconnection-indicative signal can be generated, e.g., upon identificationof a connection attribute, at a defined time, or at a completion of adefined time period. In one instance, signal generation module 225regularly transmits a connection-indicative signal that includes anidentification of each other device having a particular connectionattribute (e.g., identifying each device in communication withelectronic accessory 200, identifying each paired device incommunication with electronic accessory 200 over a short-range network,identifying each device associated with a particular user account incommunication with electronic accessory 200 and having anabove-threshold connection strength). In such instances, a lack of anidentification of a device in a connection-indicative signal can itselfcorrespond to a connection attribute.

The connection-indicative signal can be transmitted, by transceivermodule 205, to a master electronic device (e.g., via a short-rangeconnection). Because connection attributes can depend on deviceseparation distances, the signal can be used to estimate when electronicaccessory 200 is becoming or is geographically separated from anotherdevice (e.g., another accessory). When a short-range connection betweenelectronic accessory 200 and a device receiving theconnection-indicative signal is strong, a connection attributepertaining to a connection between electronic accessory 200 and anotherdevice can also be correlated with a separation distance between asignal-receiving device and the other device.

Electronic accessory 200 can also include an alert coordination module230 that can, for example, initiate a presentation of an alert and/orhandle an alert-instruction signal. In one instance, alert coordinationmodule 230 detects, based on an identified connection attribute, that analert condition is satisfied. For example, a previous connection may bedisconnected or a strength of a connection can be below a threshold.Alert coordination module can then, for example, generate analert-instruction signal to be sent by transceiver module 205 to amaster electronic device or device pertaining to the connectionattribute and/or can cause audio module 215 (or another module, such asa visual interface module or haptic module) to present an alert.

In some instances, alert coordination module 230 detects an incomingalert-instruction signal (e.g., from a master electronic device). Analert-instruction signal can correspond to an instruction to electronicaccessory 200 to present an alert and/or to transmit (e.g., relay) analert-instruction signal to another device (e.g., another accessory).

Alert coordination module 230 can further coordinate to communicate aposition of a device to facilitate a determination as to whether analert is to be positioned. Transceiver module 205 can receive aposition-identifying signal from an other electronic accessory thatidentifies a positional characteristic of the other electronicaccessory. For example, using one or more proximity detectors, the otherelectronic accessory can estimate as to whether it is positioned withina person's ear and communicate the estimation via theposition-identifying signal. In some instances, alert coordinationmodule 230 can request such a signal, for example, upon receiving analarm-instruction signal and/or a locate-accessory signal (e.g., from amaster electronic device) or at routine time intervals.

In some instances, upon receiving the position-identifying signal, alertcoordination module 230 can transmit a relayed position-identifyingsignal (e.g., that is also indicative of the positional characteristic)to a master electronic device and/or one controlling alert initiation.In some instances, alert coordination module 230 controls transmissionof an alert-instruction signal based on the positional characteristic.For example, alert coordination module 230 can initiate transmission ofan alert-instruction signal to the other electronic accessory when thepositional characteristic indicates that the other electronic accessoryis not in a person's ear and/or can inhibit transmission of analert-instruction signal when the positional characteristic indicatesthat the other electronic accessory is in a person's ear.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a master electronic device 300(e.g., master electronic device 105) according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Master electronic device 300 can include an interfacemodule 305 that can detect user inputs and/or present outputs. A userinput can correspond to a request that master electronic device 300perform a function, such as to execute an app on device 300, access awebpage, access a stored file, or facilitate a communication (e.g., viaa phone call, chat or message).

In one instance, an input can correspond to a request to play an audiofile, such as a file stored locally at master electronic device 300 or afile stored at a remote source. An audio module 310 can identify thefile (e.g., based on an identification provided via the input and/or aselection technique), can access the file (e.g., by retrieving it fromstorage, streaming the file from a remote source or requesting the filefrom a remote source for download) and initiate play of the file.

In one instance, an input can correspond to a request to participate ina phone conversation (e.g., to initiate a new phone conversation and/orto answer an incoming call). A phone module (not shown) can coordinatean inter-device connection to establish and/or maintain the call, andaudio module 310 can facilitate presentation of audio signals receivedas part of the call.

In some instances, master electronic device 300 can use one or moreelectronic accessories to facilitate in performing a function (e.g., onerequested via user input). A signal generation module 315 can generate amaster-device operation signal that includes data indicative of one ormore actions requested to be performed at each of one or more electronicaccessories. The master-device operation signal can include, forexample, an identifier of an app, part or all of a file, an audiosignal, an identification of a task, and/or an initiation and/orcompletion time. For example, the master-device operation signal caninclude part or all of an audio file or audio data from a call.

In some instances, the master-device operation signal includes multipleportions, where a different receiving device can use a differentportion. For example, a master-device signal can include two channelsfor audio data. Each channel can correspond to a “right” or “left”channel to be presented (for example) by a corresponding accessorypositioned on a respective side of a user. Channels can becomplementary, similar or the same. For example, if stereo data is notavailable for audio data, two channels may be identical.

Signal generation module may include an indication in a master-deviceoperation signal as to which receiving device is to handle a particularportion of the signal. For example, when a signal includes two channels,the master-device operation signal can identify one of the signals as a“right” channel such that it can be handled by a “right” accessory andanother as a “left” channel such that it can be handled by a “left”accessory. As another example, one channel can be designated as a“primary” channel to be handled by a receiving device and another as a“secondary” channel to be transmitted from the receiving device toanother device.

Master electronic device 300 can include a transceiver module 320 to(e.g., wirelessly) receive and/or send communications to one or moreother devices (e.g., primary electronic accessory 120 and/or secondaryelectronic accessory 125). Transceiver module 320 can transmit one ormore master-device operation signals to an electronic accessory (e.g.,one paired to master electronic device 300). The transmission can bediscrete or continuous.

Transceiver module 320 can be configured to receive and/or sendcommunications using a particular protocol, such as a WiFi, Bluetooth,BTLE, Ultra-Wideband, WiFi-Direct, Zigbee, Universal Plug and Play,near-field communication or sound frequency protocol. It will beappreciated that, in some instances, transceiver module 320 can includemultiple transceiver sub-modules. For example, different transceiversub-modules can be configured to use different protocols. Transceivermodule 320 can include, for example, an antenna, a Bluetoothtransceiver, and/or an inductor. It will be appreciated that transceivermodule 205 can include one or more receiver modules and/or one or moretransmitter modules.

Master electronic device 300 can include a connection assessment module325, which can perform similar functions and have similar configurationsas connection assessment module 220 in electronic accessory 200.Connection assessment module 325 can identify a connection attributepertaining to another device (e.g., an electronic accessory). Forexample, a connection attribute can indicate whether master electronicdevice 300 is at all able to communicate with the other device, ispaired with the other device or able to communicate with the otherdevice using a particular protocol (e.g., BTLE, Bluetooth or anothershort-range protocol). As another example, a connection attribute canidentify a characteristic of an existing connection with the otherdevice (e.g., a connection strength, latency, protocol or linkparameter). As yet another example, a connection attribute can identifya change in a connection, such as a disconnection, a connection, or anincrease or decrease in a connection characteristic.

In some instances, connection assessment module 220 can repeatedlyidentify a connection attribute. For example, a connection attributepertaining to a given device can be identified at regular timeintervals, at defined times, and/or upon detecting an event (e.g., afailed communication transmission or an incoming communication).

In some instances, connection assessment module can also analyze aconnection-indicative signal received via transceiver module 320. Forexample, a connection-indicative signal can be received from anelectronic accessory that is indicative of a presence or characteristicof a connection between the electronic accessory and an other electronicaccessory.

Connection assessment module 325 can respond to some or all connectionattributes (e.g., locally identified or included in a receivedconnection-indicative signal) by initiating an estimation of a locationof master electronic device 300. For example, the location can beestimated upon detecting a change (or a change of at least a thresholddegree) in a connection attribute, for detecting a connection attributeindicative of a new connection or disconnection, and/or for detecting aconnection attribute that exceeds a defined threshold.

The location of master electronic device 300 can be estimated by alocation detector module 330. Location detector module 330 can estimatea location of master electronic device 300 by analyzing signals receivedfrom one or more sources with known locations, such as GPS satellites orWiFi access points. Location detector module 330 can use a strengthand/or latency of a signal in the location estimation and can use atriangulation technique. An estimated location can include, for example,geographic coordinates, a functional location (e.g., at “Home”), or anaddress.

In some instances, location detector module 330 routinely estimateslocation of master electronic device 300. In some instances, thelocation is estimated only upon receiving a request (e.g., fromconnection assessment module 325) or detecting a particular event.

A location history module 335 can store one or more estimated locations.An estimated location can be stored in association with one or moreconnection attributes and/or one or more times. For example, locationhistory module 335 can store data indicating that master electronicdevice 300 was estimated to be at Location X, at Time Y, and that atapproximately that time, master electronic device 300 was connected toElectronic Accessory A, but Electronic Accessory A was not connected toany other electronic accessories.

Location history module 335 can maintain a data structure with theestimated locations so as to add new data in a replacement and/oraddition manner. For example, each new location (e.g., and anyassociated information) can be concatenated to an existing structure. Asanother example, addition of a new estimated location (e.g., and anyassociated information) can result in a removal of another estimatedlocation in an existing structure (e.g., an oldest estimated location orone corresponding to a similar or same connection attribute as the newestimated location). As another example, estimated locations can beremoved from an existing structure according to a technique independentof structure additions (e.g., clearing all estimated locations havingbeen added more than a threshold time ago).

In some instances, master electronic device 300 can be connected to asecondary electronic accessory via a primary electronic accessory.Connection-indicative signals can indicate when the secondary electronicaccessory is connected to the primary electronic accessory (e.g., via ashort-range network). Accordingly, if the secondary electronic accessoryis dropped or forgotten, identifying a location of the primaryelectronic accessory at various times can provide an indication as towhere the secondary electronic accessory may later be retrieved. In someinstances, the primary electronic accessory also includes a locationdetector module and can transmit its estimated location via aconnection-indicative signal or other signal. In some instances, alocation of master electronic device 300 can instead be used (e.g., as aproxy for a location of the primary electronic accessory), such that theprimary electronic accessory need not even have the capability ofidentifying its location. This may be particularly advantageous when themaster electronic device 300 is connected to the primary electronicaccessory via a short-range connection.

A device director module 340 can use stored device location estimationsto generate location information pertaining to a “target” device. Atarget device can include, for example, a device identified via userinput (e.g., in a locate-accessory request) or a device associated witha weak or weakening connection attribute (e.g., as defined by acondition). A target device can include an electronic accessory, such asa primary electronic accessory or secondary electronic accessory.

In one instance, interface module 305 receives a request to locate anaccessory. Device director module 340 can then access stored data toidentify a recent (e.g., most recent) estimated location for theaccessory. For example, the location can include a most recent locationcorresponding to a connection attribute above a threshold, identifyingan existing connection or identifying an active pairing. As anotherexample, the location can include a location corresponding to aconnection attribute with a maximum value across a time period and/orwith a local maximum.

Location information can include the estimated location and/or aprocessed version thereof. For example, device director module 340 canconvert geographic coordinates into an address and/or location name(e.g., “Mike's Deli”), and/or device director module 340 can generate agraphical representation (e.g., on a map) that identifies the estimatedlocation. Device director module 340 can coordinate presentation of thelocation information via interface module 305. The presentation can alsoinclude other corresponding data, such as a time associated with theestimated location (e.g., “Accessory B last detected at Position X atTime Y”).

Location information can also or alternatively include directions to theestimated location. A starting location to use for the direction caninclude a current or recent location of master electronic device 300detected by location detector module 330 and/or one provided via userinput. Device director module 340 can facilitate presentation of thedirections via, for example, a map, an audio sequence (e.g., “Turn righton 1^(st) street and walk 300 ft”) or a written sequence. In someinstances, directions can be provided in a non-verbal manner, such as bycontrolling a frequency or volume of a pulsed tone based on a separationdistance between master electronic device 300 and a target device.

Directions can be static or dynamic. Dynamic directions can change basedon, for example, an updated estimated location of master electronicdevice 300 and/or newly received connection attributes.

Additionally or alternatively, device director module 340 can generateinitial or updated location information based on a connection attributeincluded in one or more connection-indicative signals and/or identifiedat device 300. For example, device director module 340 can determine howa connection attribute is varying as master electronic device 300 ismoving along a particular direction and can adjust its directionsaccordingly.

Master electronic device 300 can also include an alert coordinationmodule 345 that can, for example, initiate a presentation of a localand/or remote alert. In one instance, alert coordination module 345detects, based on an identified connection attribute and/or input, thatan alert condition is satisfied. For example, it can be detected that aprevious connection (e.g., between master electronic device 300 and anelectronic accessory or between two accessories) has been disconnectedor a strength of a connection is below a threshold. Alert coordinationmodule 345 can then, for example, generate an alert-instruction signalto be sent by transceiver module 320 to an electronic accessory (e.g., aprimary and/or secondary electronic accessory). As another example, alocate-accessory request identifying a particular accessory can bedetected by interface module 305, and alert coordination module 345 canthen generate an alert-instruction signal to be sent to the particularaccessory.

In some instances, before or after an alert-instruction signal istransmitted, a position-identifying signal is received that isindicative of a position of an electronic accessory (e.g., that is atarget accessory, an accessory identified via a locate-accessory requestinput and/or one that is identified to present an alert). For example,if a locate-accessory request is received and identifies a secondaryelectronic accessory, alert coordination module 345 can transmit anindication of the request to a primary electronic accessory, which canthen request a positional characteristic (e.g., an indication as towhether it is estimated that the secondary electronic accessory is in aperson's ear) from the secondary electronic accessory.

In some instances, a positional characteristic can automaticallyinfluence an alert presentation. For example, if it is estimated that anelectronic accessory is in a person's ear, an alert that would haveotherwise been presented via the accessory can be partly or completelysuppressed (e.g., not presented or presented at a reduced intensity,such as a reduced volume). In some instances, alert coordination module345 can cause an identification of an estimated position to be presentedvia interface module 305. The position identification can be presentedwith an option to continue (or abandon) an alert. For example, if it isestimated that an electronic accessory is in a person's ear, interfacemodule 305 can present “Accessory being worn. Continue with audioalert?”. Alert coordination module 345 can then send one or morecommunications to reflect a responsive input or a default action (e.g.,suppress alert when accessory being worn unless contrary user input isreceived).

FIG. 4 is an example schematic diagram of an electronic accessory 400(e.g., a primary or secondary electronic accessory and/or electronicaccessory 120, 125 and/or 200) according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Electronic accessory 400 can include processing subsystem402, storage subsystem 404, user interface 406, one or more connectioncomponents (e.g., RF interface 408 and/or connector interface 410),power subsystem 412, and environmental sensors 414. Electronic accessory400 can also include other components (not explicitly shown).

Storage subsystem 404 can be implemented, e.g., using magnetic storagemedia, flash memory, other semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM), orany other non-transitory storage medium, or a combination of media, andcan include volatile and/or non-volatile media. In some embodiments,storage subsystem 404 can store media items such as audio files, videofiles, image or artwork files; information about a user's contacts(names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.); appointments and events; notes;and/or other types of information, examples of which are describedbelow. In some embodiments, storage subsystem 404 can also store one ormore application programs (or apps) 434 to be executed by processingsubsystem 402 (e.g., video game programs, personal informationmanagement programs, media playback programs, interface programsassociated with particular host devices and/or host devicefunctionalities, etc.).

User interface 406 can include any combination of input and outputdevices. In some instances, a user can operate input devices of userinterface 406 to invoke the functionality of electronic accessory 400and/or a connected (e.g., indirectly or directly) master electronicdevice and can view, hear, and/or otherwise experience output fromelectronic accessory 400 and/or a connected (e.g., indirectly ordirectly) master electronic device via output devices of user interface406.

An example of an output device include speakers 422. One or morespeakers 421 can be provided using small-form-factor speakertechnologies, including any technology capable of converting electronicsignals into audible sound waves. In some embodiments, speakers 421 canbe used to produce tones (e.g., beeping or ringing) and can but need notbe capable of reproducing sounds such as speech or music with anyparticular degree of fidelity.

An example of an input device can include a microphone 428. Microphone428 can include any device that converts sound waves into electronicsignals. In some embodiments, microphone 428 can be sufficientlysensitive to provide a representation of specific words spoken by auser; in other embodiments, microphone 428 can be usable to provideindications of general ambient sound levels without necessarilyproviding a high quality electronic representation of specific sounds.

Processing subsystem 402 can be implemented as one or more integratedcircuits, e.g., one or more single-core or multi-core microprocessors ormicrocontrollers, examples of which are known in the art. In operation,processing system 402 can control the operation of electronic accessory400. In various embodiments, processing subsystem 404 can execute avariety of programs in response to program code and can maintainmultiple concurrently executing programs or processes. At any giventime, some or all of the program code to be executed can be resident inprocessing subsystem 404 and/or in storage media such as storagesubsystem 404.

Through suitable programming, processing subsystem 402 can providevarious functionality for electronic accessory 400. For example, in someembodiments, processing subsystem 402 can execute an operating system(OS) 432 and various applications 434 such as a media-playingapplication, media-streaming application, and/or other applications. Insome embodiments, some or all of these application programs can interactwith a master electronic device, e.g., by receiving audio data to play.In some embodiments, some or all of the application programs can operatelocally to electronic accessory 400.

Processing subsystem 402 can also execute a code for one or morecomponents of device 400. For example, processing subsystem 402 canexecute a module code 436 (which can be part of OS 432 or separate asdesired) for each of one or more modules (e.g., modules identified inFIG. 2), each of one or more parts of modules, and/or each of one ormore combinations of modules or parts thereof. Execution of one or moremodule codes 436 can, for example, identify a connection attribute thatis indicative of a presence or characteristic of another electronicaccessory, transmit the connection attribute to a master electronicdevice (e.g., via a connection-indicative signal) and/or coordinatepresentation of an alert.

RF (radio frequency) interface 408 can allow electronic accessory 400 tocommunicate wirelessly with various devices (e.g., a master electronicdevice, other electronic accessory or other device). RF interface 408can include RF transceiver components such as an antenna and supportingcircuitry to enable data communication over a wireless medium, e.g.,using Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family standards), Bluetooth® (a family ofstandards promulgated by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.), or other protocols forwireless data communication. In some embodiments, RF interface 408 canimplement a Bluetooth LE (Low energy) proximity sensor 409 that supportsproximity detection through an estimation of signal strength and/orother protocols for determining proximity to another electronic device.

In some embodiments, RF interface 408 can provide near fieldcommunication (“NFC”) capability, e.g., implementing the ISO/IEC 18092standards or the like; NFC can support wireless data exchange betweendevices over a very short range (e.g., 20 centimeters or less). RFinterface 408 can be implemented using a combination of hardware (e.g.,driver circuits, antennas, modulators/demodulators, encoders/decoders,and other analog and/or digital signal processing circuits) and softwarecomponents. Multiple different wireless communication protocols andassociated hardware can be incorporated into RF interface 408.

In some embodiments, RF interface 408 can be used to supportsynchronization operations in which data is transferred from a anotherdevice (e.g., a master electronic device or other electronic accessory)to electronic accessory 400 (or vice versa). For example, a user can beable to customize settings and other information for electronicaccessory 400. While user interface 406 may (in some embodiments)support data entry operations, a user can find it more convenient todefine customized information on a separate device (e.g., a tablet orsmartphone) that has a larger interface (e.g., including a real orvirtual alphanumeric keyboard) and/or additional user interfacecomponents, then transfer the customized information to electronicaccessory 400 via a synchronization operation. Synchronizationoperations can also be used to load and/or update other types of data instorage subsystem 404, such as media items, application programs,personal data, and/or operating system programs. Synchronizationoperations can be performed in response to an explicit user requestand/or automatically, e.g., when electronic accessory 400 resumescommunication with a particular master electronic device or in responseto either device receiving an update to its copy of synchronizedinformation.

Environmental sensors 414 can include various electronic, mechanical,electromechanical, optical, or other devices that provide informationrelated to external conditions around electronic accessory 400. Sensors414 in some embodiments can provide digital signals to processingsubsystem 402, e.g., on a streaming basis or in response to polling byprocessing subsystem 402 as desired. Any type and combination ofenvironmental sensors can be used; shown by way of example are aproximity detector 443 and a thermometer 449.

Some environmental sensors can provide information about the locationand/or motion of electronic accessory 400. For example, proximitydetector 443 can sense a distance from a nearby object (e.g., in each ofone or more directions). Proximity detector 443 can include, forexample, a photoelectric sensor and/or emitter such that it can uselight to detect a proximity of an object; and/or an acoustic sensorand/or emitter such that it can use sound to detect a proximity of anobject. As another example, a thermometer can detect an ambienttemperature (e.g., which may be influenced by whether electronicaccessory 400 is being worn). Other sensors can also be included inaddition to or instead of these examples.

Power subsystem 412 can provide power and power management capabilitiesfor electronic accessory 400. For example, power subsystem 412 caninclude a battery 440 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) and associatedcircuitry to distribute power from battery 440 to other components ofelectronic accessory 400 that require electrical power. In someembodiments, power subsystem 412 can also include circuitry operable tocharge battery 440, e.g., when connector interface 410 is connected to apower source. In some embodiments, power subsystem 412 can include a“wireless” charger, such as an inductive charger, to charge battery 440without relying on connector interface 410. In some embodiments, powersubsystem 412 can also include other power sources, such as a solarcell, in addition to or instead of battery 440.

In some embodiments, power subsystem 412 can control power distributionto components within electronic accessory 400 to manage powerconsumption efficiently. For example, power subsystem 412 canautomatically place device 400 into a “hibernation” state when sensors414 detect indications accssory 400 is not being worn. The hibernationstate can be designed to reduce power consumption; accordingly, userinterface 406 (or components thereof), RF interface 408 can be powereddown (e.g., to a low-power state or turned off entirely), while othercomponents (e.g., one or more environmental sensors 414) are powered up(either continuously or at intervals) to detect changed environmentalstimuli.

Power subsystem 412 can also provide other power managementcapabilities, such as regulating power consumption of other componentsof electronic accessory 400 based on the source and amount of availablepower, monitoring stored power in battery 440, generating user alerts ifthe stored power drops below a minimum level, and so on.

In some embodiments, control functions of power subsystem 412 can beimplemented using programmable or controllable circuits operating inresponse to control signals generated by processing subsystem 402 inresponse to program code executing thereon, or as a separatemicroprocessor or microcontroller. In some embodiments, controlfunctions of power subsystem 412 can be based on user interaction withthe device (e.g., to power down components if a device has not beeninteracted with in a particular manner, such as via a touch, buttonpress or network activity, for a defined period of time).

It will be appreciated that electronic accessory 400 is illustrative andthat variations and modifications are possible. For example, electronicaccessory 400 can include additional user interface components, such asa display and/or haptic output. As another example, electronic accessory400 can include an additional environmental sensor, such as anaccelerometer and/or gyroscope to detect a position of electronicaccessory 400. Electronic accessory 400 can include any types andcombination of sensors and in some instances can include multiplesensors of a given type. As yet another example, electronic accessory400 can include a connector interface to receive a wired connection toconnect to another device and/or a wired power connection, e.g., forcharging a battery of the electronic accessory.

Further, while the electronic accessory is described with reference toparticular blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks are definedfor convenience of description and are not intended to imply aparticular physical arrangement of component parts. Further, the blocksneed not correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can beconfigured to perform various operations, e.g., by programming aprocessor or providing appropriate control circuitry, and various blocksmight or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initialconfiguration is obtained. Embodiments of the present invention can berealized in a variety of apparatus including electronic devicesimplemented using any combination of circuitry and software. It is alsonot required that every block in FIG. 4 be implemented in a givenembodiment of a electronic accessory. For example, whether a componentis included in electronic accessory 400 and/or a function of a componentof electronic accessory 400 can depend on whether the accessory is aprimary or secondary accessory. For example, in some instances, asecondary electronic accessory may include a proximity detector 443while a primary electronic accessory need not.

FIG. 5 is an example schematic diagram of a master electronic device 500(e.g., master electronic device 105 and/or 300) according to anembodiment of the present invention. Master electronic device 500 caninclude processing subsystem 502, storage subsystem 504, user interface506, RF interface 508, connector interface 510, power subsystem 512, andenvironmental sensors 514. Master electronic device 500 can also includeother components (not explicitly shown). Many of the components ofmaster electronic device 500 can be similar or identical to those ofelectronic accessory 400 of FIG. 4.

For instance, storage subsystem 504 can be generally similar to storagesubsystem 404 and can include, e.g., using magnetic storage media, flashmemory, other semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM), or any othernon-transitory storage medium, or a combination of media, and caninclude volatile and/or non-volatile media. Like storage subsystem 404,storage subsystem 504 can be used to store data and/or program code tobe executed by processing subsystem 502.

User interface 506 can include any combination of input and outputdevices. A user can operate input devices of user interface 506 toinvoke the functionality of master electronic device 500 and can view,hear, and/or otherwise experience output from master electronic device500 via output devices of user interface 506. Examples of output devicesinclude display 520, speakers 522, and haptic output generator 524.Examples of input devices include microphone 526, touch sensor 528, andcamera 529. These input and output devices can be similar to outputdevices described above with reference to FIG. 5.

Display 520 can be implemented using compact display technologies, e.g.,LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light-emitting diode), OLED (organiclight-emitting diode), or the like. In some embodiments, display 520 canincorporate a flexible display element or curved-glass display element,allowing master electronic device 500 to conform to a desired shape. Oneor more speakers 522 can be provided using small-form-factor speakertechnologies, including any technology capable of converting electronicsignals into audible sound waves. In some embodiments, speakers 522 canbe used to produce tones (e.g., beeping or ringing) and can but need notbe capable of reproducing sounds such as speech or music with anyparticular degree of fidelity. Haptic output generator 524 can be, e.g.,a device that converts electronic signals into vibrations; in someembodiments, the vibrations can be strong enough to be felt by a userwearing master electronic device 500 but not so strong as to producedistinct sounds.

Touch sensor 528 can include, e.g., a capacitive sensor array with theability to localize contacts to a particular point or region on thesurface of the sensor and in some instances, the ability to distinguishmultiple simultaneous contacts. In some embodiments, touch sensor 528can be overlaid over display 520 to provide a touchscreen interface, andprocessing subsystem 504 can translate touch events (including tapsand/or other gestures made with one or more contacts) into specific userinputs depending on what is currently displayed on display 520.

Camera 529 can include, e.g., a compact digital camera that includes animage sensor such as a CMOS sensor and optical components (e.g. lenses)arranged to focus an image onto the image sensor, along with controllogic operable to use the imaging components to capture and store stilland/or video images. Images can be stored, e.g., in storage subsystem504 and/or transmitted by master electronic device 500 to other devicesfor storage. Depending on implementation, the optical components canprovide fixed focal distance or variable focal distance; in the lattercase, autofocus can be provided. In some embodiments, camera 527 can bedisposed along an edge of a face member of a device, e.g., the top edge,and oriented to allow a user to capture images of nearby objects in theenvironment such as a bar code or QR code. In other embodiments, camera529 can be disposed on the front surface of a device face member, e.g.,to capture images of the user. Zero, one, or more cameras can beprovided, depending on implementation.

Microphone 526 can include any device that converts sound waves intoelectronic signals. In some embodiments, microphone 526 can besufficiently sensitive to provide a representation of specific wordsspoken by a user; in other embodiments, microphone 526 can be usable toprovide indications of general ambient sound levels without necessarilyproviding a high-quality electronic representation of specific sounds.

In some embodiments, user interface 506 can provide output to and/orreceive input from an auxiliary device such as a headset. For example,audio jack 530 can connect via an audio cable (e.g., a standard 2.5-mmor 3.5-mm audio cable) to an auxiliary device. Audio jack 530 caninclude input and/or output paths. Accordingly, audio jack 530 canprovide audio to the auxiliary device and/or receive audio from theauxiliary device. In some embodiments, a wireless connection interfacecan be used to communicate with an auxiliary device.

Processing subsystem 502 can be implemented as one or more integratedcircuits, e.g., one or more single-core or multi-core microprocessors ormicrocontrollers, examples of which are known in the art. In operation,processing system 502 can control the operation of master electronicdevice 500. In various embodiments, processing subsystem 502 can executea variety of programs in response to program code and can maintainmultiple concurrently executing programs or processes. At any giventime, some or all of the program code to be executed can be resident inprocessing subsystem 502 and/or in storage media such as storagesubsystem 504.

Through suitable programming, processing subsystem 502 can providevarious functionality for master electronic device 500. For example, insome embodiments, processing subsystem 502 can execute an operatingsystem (OS) 532 and various applications 534 such as a phone-interfaceapplication, a text-message-interface application, a media interfaceapplication, a fitness application, and/or other applications. In someembodiments, some or all of these application programs can interact withone or more electronic accessories, e.g., by generating messages orsignals (e.g., with audio signals) to be sent to an accessory and/or byreceiving and interpreting messages or signals (e.g., with audiosignals) from the accessory. In some embodiments, some or all of theapplication programs can operate locally on master electronic device500.

Processing subsystem 502 can also execute a code for one or morecomponents of device 500. For example, processing subsystem 502 canexecute a module code 536 (which can be part of OS 532 or separate asdesired) for each of one or more modules (e.g., modules identified inFIG. 3), each of one or more parts of modules, and/or each of one ormore combinations of modules or parts thereof. Execution of one or moremodule codes 536 can, for example, identify a connection attribute thatis indicative of a presence or characteristic of an electronicaccessory, receive and process a connection attribute from an electronicaccessory, (e.g., via a connection-indicative signal), estimate alocation of master electronic device 500, store data (e.g., a connectionattribute and/or device location), process a locate-accessory request,and/or coordinate presentation of an alert.

RF (radio frequency) interface 508 can allow master electronic device500 to communicate wirelessly with various other devices (e.g., anelectronic accessory or remote server) and networks. RF interface 508can include RF transceiver components such as an antenna and supportingcircuitry to enable data communication over a wireless medium, e.g.,using cellular voice and/or data networks, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 familystandards), Bluetooth® (a family of standards promulgated by BluetoothSIG, Inc.), or other protocols for wireless data communication. In someembodiments, RF interface 508 can implement a Bluetooth LE (Low energy)proximity sensor 509 that supports proximity detection through anestimation of signal strength and/or other protocols for determiningproximity to another electronic device. In some embodiments, RFinterface 508 can provide near-field communication (“NFC”) capability,e.g., implementing the ISO/IEC 18092 standards or the like; NFC cansupport wireless data exchange between devices over a very short range(e.g., 20 centimeters or less). RF interface 508 can be implementedusing a combination of hardware (e.g., driver circuits, antennas,modulators/demodulators, encoders/decoders, and other analog and/ordigital signal processing circuits) and software components. Multipledifferent wireless communication protocols and associated hardware canbe incorporated into RF interface 508.

Connector interface 510 can allow master electronic device 500 tocommunicate with various devices (e.g., a server or electronicaccessory) via a wired communication path, e.g., using Universal SerialBus (USB), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), or otherprotocols for wired data communication. In some embodiments, connectorinterface 510 can provide a power port, allowing master electronicdevice 500 to receive power, e.g., to charge an internal battery. Forexample, connector interface 510 can include a connector such as a miniUSB connector or a custom connector, as well as supporting circuitry. Insome embodiments, a device can be powered or charged via inductivecharging. In some embodiments, the connector can be a custom connectorthat provides dedicated power and ground contacts, as well as digitaldata contacts that can be used to implement different communicationtechnologies in parallel; for instance, two pins can be assigned as USBdata pins (D+ and D) and two other pins can be assigned as serialtransmit/receive pins (e.g., implementing a UART interface). Theassignment of pins to particular communication technologies can behardwired or negotiated while the connection is being established. Insome embodiments, the connector can also provide connections for audioand/or video signals, which can be transmitted to or from another devicein analog and/or digital formats.

Environmental sensors 514 can include various electronic, mechanical,electromechanical, optical, or other devices that provide informationrelated to external conditions around master electronic device 500.Sensors 514 in some embodiments can provide digital signals toprocessing subsystem 502, e.g., on a streaming basis or in response topolling by processing subsystem 502 as desired. Any type and combinationof environmental sensors can be used; shown by way of example is anaccelerometer 542 and GPS receiver 548.

Accelerometer 542 can sense acceleration (relative to freefall) alongone or more axes, e.g., using piezoelectric or other components inconjunction with associated electronics to produce a signal. GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver 548 can determine location based onsignals received from GPS satellites. In some instances, data detectedfrom one or more environmental sensors can be used to identify a gestureindicative of particular input. For example, rather than using atouchscreen to select a notification action and/or dismiss an alert ornotification, this information can be conveyed by a particular armmovement.

Other sensors can also be included in addition to or instead of theseexamples. For example, a sound sensor can incorporate microphone 526together with associated circuitry and/or program code to determine,e.g., a decibel level of ambient sound. Temperature sensors, proximitysensors, ambient light sensors, magnetometers, gyroscopic sensors or thelike can also be included.

Power subsystem 512 can provide power and power management capabilitiesfor master electronic device 500. For example, power subsystem 512 caninclude a battery 540 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) and associatedcircuitry to distribute power from battery 540 to other components ofmaster electronic device 500 that require electrical power. In someembodiments, power subsystem 512 can also include circuitry operable tocharge battery 540, e.g., when an electrical connector (not shown) isconnected to a power source. In some embodiments, power subsystem 512can include a “wireless” charger, such as an inductive charger, tocharge battery 540 without relying on a physical connector. In someembodiments, power subsystem 512 can also include other power sources,such as a solar cell, in addition to or instead of battery 540.

In some embodiments, power subsystem 512 can control power distributionto components within master electronic device 500 to manage powerconsumption efficiently. For example, when master electronic device 500is in an inactive state (not interacting with a user), power subsystem512 can place device 500 into a low-power state, e.g., by powering offvarious components of user interface 506, RF interface 508, and/orenvironmental sensors 514. Power subsystem 512 can also provide otherpower management capabilities, such as regulating power consumption ofother components of master electronic device 500 based on the source andamount of available power, monitoring stored power in battery 540,generating user alerts if the stored power drops below a minimum level,and so on.

In some embodiments, control functions of power subsystem 512 can beimplemented using programmable or controllable circuits operating inresponse to control signals generated by processing subsystem 502 inresponse to program code executing thereon, or as a separatemicroprocessor or microcontroller.

It will be appreciated that master electronic device 500 is illustrativeand that variations and modifications are possible. In variousembodiments, other controls or components can be provided in addition toor instead of those described above. Any device capable of interactingwith another device (e.g., an electronic accessory) to receive and/ordetermine connection attributes; receive, determine and/or presentlocation information; and/or coordinate alerts based on connectionattributes can be a master electronic device.

Further, while master electronic device 500 is described with referenceto particular blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks aredefined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply aparticular physical arrangement of component parts. Further, the blocksneed not correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can beconfigured to perform various operations, e.g., by programming aprocessor or providing appropriate control circuitry, and various blocksmight or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initialconfiguration is obtained. Embodiments of the present invention can berealized in a variety of apparatus including electronic devicesimplemented using any combination of circuitry and software. It is alsonot required that every block in FIG. 5 be implemented in a givenembodiment of a master electronic device.

In some instances, a master electronic device sends an operation signalto one or more electronic accessories to influence an operation (e.g.,initiate or control a task performance) at one or more electronicaccessories. The operation signal can be transmitted to a target devicedirectly or indirectly via one or more other devices (e.g., one or moreother devices associated with a same user account as the masterelectronic device and/or target device).

In one exemplary instance, one or more electronic accessories interactwith a master electronic device, such that audio that is controlled at(e.g., received at or retrieved from a local storage at) the masterelectronic device is output at the one or more accessories. FIG. 6 is aflow diagram of a process for coordinating audio play via an electronicaccessory and an other electronic accessory of a master electronicdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In thisillustration, at least part of an operation signal transmitted by themaster electronic device is transmitted to the other electronicaccessory via the electronic accessory. Thus, the electronic accessorycan be characterized as a primary electronic accessory, and the otherelectronic accessory can be characterized as a secondary electronicaccessory.

At block 605, the master electronic device can identify an audio file toplay. The audio file can be one stored at the master electronic deviceor one stored remotely (e.g., at a music server or other user device).The audio file can be selected, for example, based on a user inputidentifying a particular file, a user input identifying a channel, datapertaining to audio preferences of the user, and/or a selection process.For example, an audio file can be pseudo-randomly selected from amongstthose locally stored at the master electronic device. Upon identifyingthe audio file, the master electronic device can retrieve the file froma local storage or request the file from a remote source.

At block 610, the master electronic device can detect a connection withan electronic accessory. The detecting can include, for example,identifying and/or detecting one or more electronic accessories (e.g.,of a particular device type, being configured to serve as a “primary”accessory, having a particular capability, having a particular deviceidentifier and/or being associated with a same user account as isassociated with the master electronic device) over a type of network(e.g., a short-range network or BTLE network). For example, block 610can include detecting all earphone devices paired to the masterelectronic accessory.

In some instances, master electronic device can detect multipleelectronic accessories and can then identify an incomplete subset (e.g.,one accessory) to transmit a signal to. The subset identification can bebased on, for example, priorities, types, geographical proximity,connection strength, and so on of the detected accessories. In oneinstance, block 610 includes detecting a single electronic accessory(e.g., primary electronic accessory and not a secondary electronicaccessory). Such single-accessory detection may, or may not, limit aninfluence of a transmitted signal to the single accessory. For example,in one instance, only the detected electronic accessory is influenced bya transmitted signal. As another example, the detected electronicaccessory can itself detect an other electronic accessory to which itcan route part or all of the signal (or processed version thereof). Insome instances, the master electronic device detects multiple electronicaccessories and coordinates transmission of part or all of a signal (orprocessed version thereof) to each of the multiple electronicaccessories.

At block 615 a, the master electronic device can generate amulti-channel master-device signal for the audio file and can transmitthe signal to a detected electronic accessory. The master-device signalcan thus include multiple channels, each of which corresponds to theaudio file. In some instances, the channels correspond to stereochannels (e.g., a “right” channel and a “left” channel). In someinstances, the channels have the same audio data.

The multi-channel master-device signal can, in some instances, includean indication as to which accessory is to use which signal. For example,a signal may be identified as a “primary” channel or “right” channel tobe handled by an electronic accessory having a corresponding designationor configuration. As another example, a signal can associate each of oneor more channels with an identifier of an accessory.

In some instances, the multi-channel master-device signal can includeadditional data, such as a time to begin play of a channel and/or avolume setting. The multi-channel master-device signal can betransmitted, for example, wirelessly over a short-range network.

At block 615 b, the electronic accessory can receive the multi-channelmaster-device signal, and at block 620, the electronic accessory canextract each of a primary and secondary channel from the master-devicesignal. The extraction can include identifying a channel in the signalto be played at the electronic accessory (the primary channel) and/oridentifying a channel in the signal to be transmitted to an otherelectronic accessory. This identification can be performed, for example,based on a characterization of each of one or more channels in thesignal or using another technique (e.g., selecting a first channel as aprimary channel).

At block 625 a, the electronic accessory can generate a primary-devicesignal that includes the secondary channel and can transmit theprimary-device signal (e.g., wirelessly and/or over a short-rangenetwork) to the other electronic accessory. In various instances, theprimary-device signal may, or may not, include the primary channel.

The electronic accessory can identify the other electronic based on alocal detection and/or based on data in the signal. For example, themulti-channel master-device signal can include an identifier of theother electronic accessory, or the electronic accessory can itselfdetect the other electronic accessory (e.g., in a manner similar to onedescribed in reference to block 610). At block 625 b, the otherelectronic accessory can receive the primary-device signal.

At block 630 a, the electronic accessory can play the primary channel,and at block 630 b, the other electronic accessory can play thesecondary channel. In some instances, the accessories can play therespective channels as soon as they are available. The transmission ofthe primary-device signal can introduce a small delay, though it can beshort enough that it is not noticeable to a listener.

Thus, process 600 exemplifies how one electronic accessory can serve asa primary electronic accessory and route part or all of a signal from amaster electronic device to an other electronic accessory. While process600 involves play of an audio file, it will be appreciated that otherembodiments may be extended to streaming or transmission of other typesof audio data (e.g., a speech signal received at the master electronicdevice as part of a call).

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process 700 for detecting, storing and/ortransmitting a connection attribute pertaining to an electronicaccessory of a master electronic device in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Part or all of process 700 can be performed by amaster electronic device or electronic accessory (e.g., a primaryelectronic accessory).

At block 705, a device (e.g., a master electronic device or electronicaccessory) can attempt to or can actually connect with an electronicaccessory. For example, a master electronic device can connect with (orattempt to communicate with) a primary electronic accessory, and/or aprimary electronic accessory can connect with (or attempt to communicatewith) a secondary electronic accessory. The connection can be of aparticular type, such as a wireless connection over a short-rangenetwork.

The attempted or actual connection can include transmitting one or moresignals (e.g., in a directed or broadcast fashion) and/or monitoring forincoming signals (e.g., responsive to an outgoing signal). Block 705 caninclude attempting to establish or establishing a new connection ormaintaining an existing connection.

The electronic accessory can be one having one or more particularcharacteristics (e.g., being associated with a particular user account,being of a particular device type and/or having a particular deviceidentifier). For example, block 705 can include attempting to connectwith any paired earphone device via a short-range network (e.g., BTLEnetwork).

For attempted communications, block 705 can include determining whetherany accessory can be detected (e.g., generally or over a particular typeof network). In one instance, block 705 includes enabling or detecting apairing between the device performing block 705 and an electronicaccessory.

At block 710, a connection attribute indicative of whether a connectionexists or a characteristic of a connection can be detected. Thus, insome instances, a connection attribute is indicative of whether a deviceis (e.g., wirelessly) connected to an accessory. For example, block 710can include determining whether a device (e.g., a master electronicdevice or electronic accessory) can communicate with an (other)electronic accessory (e.g., generally or over a particular type ofconnection, such as a short-range connection). As another example, block710 can include determining whether a device (e.g., a master electronicdevice or electronic accessory) is paired to an (e.g., other) electronicaccessory. In some instances, a connection attribute is indicative of acharacteristic of an existing connection. For example, a connectionattribute can include a strength of a connection, a latency of acommunication, a link parameter, and/or a type of network that theconnection is on. In some instances, a connection attribute reflects achange. For example, a connection attribute can be indicative of a newconnection, a disconnection or a decreased or increased connectionstrength, and so on.

When the attempted or actual connection evaluated includes a short-rangeconnection, the connection attribute can be indicative of a separationdistance between the device performing block 710 and the electronicaccessory. For example, a connection attribute indicating that there isno connection with the electronic accessory or that a connection is weakcan indicate that there is a relatively high separation distance.

At block 715, the connection attribute can be stored. The connectionattribute can be stored locally or a remote storing of the connectionattribute can be facilitated. The connection attribute can be storedalong with other data, such as a time associated with the detection, anidentifier of a device performing block 710, and/or an identifier orcharacteristic of the electronic accessory that the device was or wasattempting to connect to. The connection attribute can also oralternatively be stored with an estimated location. The estimatedlocation can be one of a device having detected the connectionattribute, a device storing the connection attribute and/or theelectronic accessory.

In some instances, the connection attribute is stored in a datastructure that includes one or more other connection attributes (e.g.,associated with a different time and/or device location). For example,the data structure can include a table or array. The data structure can,in some instances, also include one or more connection attributesassociated with a different device. For example, one or more datastructures can include a connection attribute associated with an actualor attempted connection between a master electronic device and a primaryelectronic accessory and also a connection attribute associated with anactual or attempted connection between a primary electronic accessoryand a secondary electronic accessory.

At block 720, a connection-indicative signal that includes theconnection attribute can be generated. In some instances, theconnection-indicative signal can include other data, such as a time,estimated device location, an identifier of a device performing block710, and/or an identifier or characteristic of the electronic accessory.

At block 725, the connection-indicative signal can be transmitted. Thesignal can be transmitted to, for example, another user device and/orremote server. In one instance, an electronic accessory performing partor all of process 700 transmits the signal to a master electronic device(e.g., a paired master electronic device).

Process 700 can then return to block 705, such that connectionattributes can be repeatedly monitored.

It will be appreciated that, in various embodiments, process 700 caninclude fewer and/or additional blocks. For example, in some instances,block 715 can be omitted from process 700 (e.g., when an electronicaccessory is performing process 700). As another example, blocks 720-725can be omitted from process 700 (e.g., when a master electronic deviceis performing process 700).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process 800 for generating and presentinglocation information pertaining to an electronic accessory of a masterelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Part or all of process 800 can be performed by a master electronicdevice.

At block 805, a connection attribute can be identified. The connectionattribute can, for example, pertain to a presence or characteristic of aconnection between the master electronic device and an electronicaccessory or a presence or characteristic of a connection between anelectronic accessory and an other electronic accessory. The connectionattribute can be locally detected or included in a connection-indicativesignal that can be received from an electronic accessory (e.g., aprimary electronic accessory). The connection attribute can include onelocally or remotely detected at block 710 in process 700.

At block 810, a location of the master electronic device can beestimated. The location can be estimated, e.g., based on a triangulationtechnique and/or signals from one or more GPS satellites or other signalsources.

At block 815, the location can be stored. In some instances, thelocation can be stored in association with the connection attribute. Forexample, the connection attribute and location can be included in a samerow or same column in a table. In some instances, multiple connectionattributes are stored (e.g., in an element of a data structure, such asin a same row). For example, block 815 can include storing a connectionattribute locally detected by the master electronic device that isindicative of a presence or characteristic of a connection between themaster electronic device and a primary electronic accessory and also aconnection attribute included in a received connection-indicative signalthat is indicative of a presence or characteristic of a connectionbetween the primary electronic accessory and a secondary electronicaccessory. The connection attribute can be stored along with other data,such as a time, an identifier of one or more devices (e.g., a primaryand/or secondary electronic device), and/or a characteristic of one ormore devices (e.g., a primary and/or secondary electronic device).

In some instances, the location is not explicitly stored in associationwith a connection attribute, though storage of the location can beindicative of a connection attribute. For example, storing the locationcan be conditioned upon detection of a particular connection attribute(e.g., indicative of a recent disconnection or a connection strengthabove a threshold).

At block 820, a locate-accessory input or connection state signal (orsatisfaction of a locate-accessory condition) can be detected. Forexample, the master electronic device can locally detect an inputreceived via an app that identifies an accessory (e.g., a primary orsecondary electronic accessory) and/or requests location information, orthe master electronic device can receive a signal (e.g., over a WiFiconnection) from another user device that requests location information.

As another example, the master electronic device can detect that alocate-accessory condition is satisfied based on the connectionattribute or another (e.g., more recent) connection attribute (e.g.,identified in a manner similar to that described with reference to block805). The locate-accessory condition can be defined such that, forexample, it is satisfied when a connection attribute or change thereofexceeds a threshold or when a connection attribute is indicative of arecent disconnection. The locate-accessory condition can be the same as,or different than, an alert condition. For example, aconnection-strength threshold in an alert condition can be higher than aconnection-strength threshold in a locate-accessory condition.

Evaluation of the locate-accessory condition can be performed at themaster electronic device or remotely. For example, in some instances,block 820 can include receiving a signal from a primary electronicaccessory that indicates that the locate-accessory condition has beensatisfied based on an analysis of a connection attribute indicative of apresence or characteristic of a connection between the primaryelectronic accessory and a secondary electronic accessory.

At block 825, it can be determined whether an accessory associated withthe detection is available (e.g., directly or indirectly) via one ormore short-range networks (e.g., one or more BTLE networks). Forexample, a locate-accessory input can indicate that a user is requestingassistance in locating a particular primary electronic accessory, andblock 825 can include determining whether the master electronic devicecan detect the primary electronic accessory over a short-range network.As another example, block 825 can include determining whether the masterelectronic device can communicate with a secondary electronic accessoryvia a chain of short-range networks (e.g., through a primary electronicaccessory).

When it is determined that the master electronic device cannotcommunicate with the accessory via one or more short-range networks(e.g., exclusively), process 800 can continue to block 830 where astored location can be retrieved. In instances where multiple locationshad been stored in association with the accessory, block 830 can includeselecting from amongst the locations. The selection can include, forexample, selecting a most recently stored location, selecting a locationassociated with an above-threshold or particular connection attribute,and/or selecting a location associated with a maximum or local maximumof a connection attribute.

To illustrate, a data structure can include a time-series of connectionstrengths. Over a previous 30-minute period, the structure can identifya rise and fall in a connection strength. The retrieved stored locationcan be one associated with a peak in the rise and fall. As anotherillustration, the selection can include identifying a most recentelement in the data structure associated with a connection attributeabove a defined threshold.

At block 835, location information can be generated based on thelocation. Location information can include the location or a processedversion thereof (e.g., converting coordinates to an address and/oridentifying the location on a map) and/or can include partial or fulldirections to the location. The directions can include, for example,written, pictorial, verbal or non-verbal directions. For example,directions can include an audio signal indicative of whether a user ismoving in a direction towards or away from the location.

At block 840, a presentation can be presented that includes the locationinformation. The presentation can include, for example, written words,an image, audio words or other stimuli, and/or haptic stimuli. Forexample, the presentation can include a map with an identifier of thelocation.

In some instances, the presentation can be repeatedly updated based onone or more newly identified connection attributes and/or devicelocations. Thus, process 800 can, in some instances, return to againperform one or more of blocks 805-815. In some instances, thisrepetition can result in an updated decision at block 825 that theaccessory has become detected over one or more short-range networks.

Upon an initial or subsequent decision that the accessory is detectedvia one or more short-range networks (e.g., generally or of a particulartype, such as BTLE), process 800 can continue to block 845 at which anupdated connection attribute can be identified. Block 845 can parallelblock 805 but can include a substantially real-time connection attributepertaining to the accessory.

At block 850, location information can be generated based on the updatedconnection attribute. The location information can include an estimatedlocation of the accessory and/or partial or full directions to anestimated location of the accessory. Thus, in some instances, thelocation information generated at block 850 can be of a same type aslocation information generated at block 835.

In some instances, each of blocks 835 and 850 include generatinglocation information based on an estimated location, though the blockscan differ with respect to which device the estimated location pertainedto. The location used at block 835 can include one of a masterelectronic device. When the location was associated with a connectionattribute or stored in a manner indicating that the master electronicdevice was connected to the accessory via one or more short-rangenetworks, the master device location can serve as a good proxy for alocation of the accessory.

Meanwhile, at block 850, an estimated location of the accessory itselfcan be identified (e.g., absolutely or relatively to another device) andused to generate the location information. The location of the accessorycan be determined, for example, based on one or more connectionattributes (e.g., time-lapsed connection attributes) and/or one or moreassociated estimated locations of a master electronic device. Forexample, master electronic device can detect that a connection strengthwith the accessory is increasing (e.g., according to a particularfactor) as the master electronic device is moved along a direction andcan use the detected increase (and/or factor) to estimate the location.

In some instances, the location information generated at block 850 doesnot include an explicit identification of a location or directions butinstead presents the updated connection attribute (or processed versionthereof) in a manner that can be used to locate the accessory. Forexample, a real-time dynamic identification of a connection-strengthvalue can aid a user in determining whether she is moving towards theaccessory.

At block 855, a presentation that includes the location information canbe presented. The presentation can include, for example, written words,an image, audio words or other stimuli, and/or haptic stimuli. Forexample, the presentation can include a map with an identifier of thelocation. In some instances, process 800 can return to block 825 suchthat location information can be repeatedly updated based on newconnection attributes. Process 800 can terminate, e.g., upon detectingthat the master electronic device has arrived at an estimated locationof the accessory or detecting an input terminating a locate-accessoryeffort.

It will be appreciated that many variations of process 800 arecontemplated. For example, in one instance, a process can include blocks805-820 and 830-840 but not one or more of blocks 845-855. As anotherexample, a process can include blocks 820 and 845-855 but not one ormore of the remaining blocks. As yet another example, block 825 can bemodified to determine whether the accessory can be detected on anon-short-range network (e.g., any network or a WiFi network).

It will also be appreciated that additional actions can be included inprocess 800. For example, after block 845, a location of the accessorycan be estimated based on the updated connection attribute, and thelocation information generated at block 850 can be based on theestimated accessory location. As another example, the updated connectionattribute can be stored.

It will further be appreciated that, while FIG. 8 depicts a processbeing performed by a master electronic device, in some embodiments, partor all of the process can be defined by an electronic accessory. Forexample, a primary electronic accessory can identify a connectionattribute relating to a presence or characteristic of a connectionbetween the primary electronic accessory and a secondary electroniccharacteristic. In various embodiments, the primary electronic accessorymay, or may not, estimate the location of the primary electronicaccessory (or a secondary electronic accessory). The primary electronicaccessory can store the connection attribute (e.g., in association witha corresponding accessory location and/or time) and can furtherparticipate in an accessory-locating effort using the stored data. Suchpresentation can include, for example, transmitting stored data (e.g.,to a master electronic device) and/or facilitating a presentation ofstored data (e.g., at the primary electronic accessory or at the masterelectronic device).

FIG. 9 is an example of a representation of a data structure storingconnection attributes pertaining to an electronic accessory of a masterelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Thedata structure can be locally stored at the master electronic device(and/or one or more accessories) and/or at a remote source. The datastructure can be managed (e.g., available for updating) by the masterelectronic device and/or one or more other devices (e.g., an accessoryand/or remote source).

In the depicted example, each row includes a time (date and time ofday), an estimated location of a master electronic device and aconnection attribute associated with each of a connection between themaster device and a first accessory and the first accessory and thesecond accessory. The connection attribute associated with theconnection between the master device and first accessory can include onedetected at the master device, and the connection attribute associatedwith the connection between the two accessories can include one detectedat the first accessory and transmitted to the master device. In thedepicted example, the connection attribute is a strength of a connection(e.g., a strength of a BTLE connection), and the estimated location isexpressed in terms of geographical coordinates.

Across the first four times in the depicted example, the connectionbetween the master device and first accessory is consistently strong,whereas the connection between the first and second accessories isweakening. Thus, if a locating effort of the second accessory wereinitiated after the fourth time, one approach would be to retrieve amost recent master device location associated with a strong secondconnection attribute, which in this case, could be the first estimatedlocation.

Meanwhile, across the last four times in the depicted example, theconnection between the accessories is consistently strong (for availableentries), whereas the connection between the master device and firstaccessory is weakening. Thus, if a locating effort of an accessory(e.g., the first or the second accessory) were initiated after theeighth time, one approach would be to retrieve a most recent masterdevice location associated with a strong first connection attribute (orwith two strong connection attributes), which in this case, could be thefifth estimated location.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are flow diagrams of processes 1000 a and 1000 b forfacilitating presentation of an alert pertaining to an electronicaccessory of a master electronic device in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Part or all of process 1000 a and/or 1000 b can beperformed by a master electronic device or an electronic accessory(e.g., a primary electronic accessory).

Beginning with process 1000 a, at block 1005, a connection attribute canbe identified. The connection attribute can, for example, pertain to apresence or characteristic of a connection between the master electronicdevice and an electronic accessory or a presence or characteristic of aconnection between an electronic accessory and an other electronicaccessory. The connection attribute can be locally detected or includedin a connection-indicative signal that can be received from anelectronic accessory (e.g., a primary electronic accessory). Theconnection attribute can include one locally or remotely detected atblock 710 in process 700.

At block 1008, it can be determined whether an alert condition issatisfied based on the connection attribute. In some instances, thedetermination can include processing one or more connection attributes(e.g., to generate an average or difference) and analyzing the processedconnection attribute(s).

The alert condition can include, for example, an identification of aparticular attribute (e.g., indicative of a new disconnection), suchthat the alert condition is satisfied when the attribute is detected.The alert condition can include a threshold, such that the alertcondition is satisfied when the attribute or a change in the attributeexceeds the threshold. The alert condition can be defined such that itis satisfied in circumstances which can correspond to a high orincreasing separation between devices.

The alert condition can be fixed or at least partly defined, forexample, based on user input and/or a learning technique. For example, athreshold can be defined based on a distribution of connectionattributes.

In some instances, block 1008 can include determining one or morevariables pertaining to a satisfaction of an alert condition. Forexample, an electronic accessory can be identified (e.g., based on whichconnection attribute has exceeded a threshold). As another example, adegree to which a connection attribute is exceeding a threshold can bedetermined.

When it is determined that the alert condition is not satisfied, process1000 a can return to block 1005. When it is determined that the alertcondition is satisfied, presentation of an alert can be facilitated atblock 1025. The facilitation can include locally presenting an alertand/or transmitting an alert-instruction signal to one or more devices(e.g., a device performing process 1000 a, a device presumably having ahigh or increasing separation from a device performing process 1000 a, amaster electronic device, an electronic accessory, a primary electronicaccessory and/or a secondary electronic accessory.

The alert can include, for example, an audio, visual or haptic alert.For example, an alerting device can vibrate, flash a light stimulus,present a notification and/or emit an audio stimulus. The alert can beindicative that the alert condition is satisfied and/or can identify anelectronic accessory. In some instances, an alert can be presented alongwith location information.

Process 1000 a and 1000 b can include some similar or same actions. Forexample, blocks 1005 and 1025 in process 1000 b can parallel respectiveblocks in process 1000 a. Process 1000 b illustrates one example of ananalysis of an alert condition.

At block 1010, the connection attribute can be analyzed to determinewhether a connection is weak, weakening and/or disconnected. Theanalysis can include comparing the connection attribute (or a processedversion thereof, such as a difference between the connection attributeand a previous connection attribute) to a threshold. For example, in oneinstance, block 1010 includes detecting whether a previous short-rangeconnection with an electronic accessory has become disconnected. Asanother example, in one instances, block 1010 includes detecting that achange in a latency associated with a connection with an electronicaccessory has dropped below a threshold value.

When block 1010 results in a negative result, process 1000 b can returnto block 1005 such that a connection attribute can be repeatedlymonitored. When block 1010 results in an affirmative result, process1000 b can proceed to block 1015 where a location of a device can beestimated. The device can include, for example, one performing part orall of process 1000 b, a master electronic device, an electronicaccessory, and/or a device associated with a weak or weakeningconnection or disconnection. It will be appreciated that, in someinstances, the device location includes a past location of a masterdevice though such location may correspond to a proxy of a currentlocation of an electronic accessory.

In some instances, the location can be estimated, e.g., based on atriangulation technique and/or signals from one or more GPS satellitesor other signal sources. In some instances, the location can beestimated based on one or more connection attributes and/or by using astored device location and/or data structure. For example, in aninstance where a connection attribute associated with an accessory hasdecreased since a master electronic device has moved away from a givenlocation, an estimated location of the accessory can be identified asthe given location.

At block 1020, it can be determined whether the location is within anyof one or more safe zones. A safe zone can be defined in part or in itsentirety by a user and/or based on historical data. For example, a safezone can correspond to a user-identified home address or a geographicalregion in which one or more users devices are located within for adefined period of time (e.g., at least 5% of each of 4 of 5 previousweeks). A safe zone can be identified based on meanings, such that therecan be (for example) a home and a work safe zone.

A safe zone can have a boundary defined based on location history of adevice (e.g., to estimate an edge of a property or building) or aboundary that is defined according to a standard shape, such as acircle. For example, a “home” safe zone can be defined to have a200-foot radius; the radius can be fixed, determined based on devicelocation history or set by a user.

A safe zone can be defined in terms of absolute or relative location.For example, a safe zone can be defined based on a range of latitude andlongitude values. As another example, a safe zone can be defined as aregion within a defined radius from a particular user device (e.g., acar accessory) or any of two or more other user devices.

In some instances, a definition of one or more safe zones can includeconditions. For example, a “work” safe zone may be defined to only existduring defined working hours.

In some instances, a definition of a safe zone depends on which devicesare associated with a weak or weakening connection or disconnection. Forexample, if two earphone accessories are being left behind in a homesafe zone, the safe zone can apply to prevent an alert; meanwhile, ifonly one is being left behind, the safe zone can be defined not to applysuch that an alert is presented.

When it is determined that the location is in a safe zone, process 1000b can return to block 1005. When it is determined that the location isnot in a safe zone, process 1000 b can proceed to block 1025 tofacilitate presentation of an alert.

As one exemplary illustration, a smart phone and two wireless earphonescan be moving about in parallel, and connection attributes can beindicative of strong short-range connections between the device. Onewireless earphone can then transmit a signal to the smart phoneidentifying a weaker connection attribute, and the smart phone candetermine that the attribute is below a threshold. The smart phone canuse a stored data structure to identify a most recent smart phonelocation associated with an above-threshold attribute and can analyzethe location to determine whether it is in any safe zone defined for theaccessory. The smart phone can determine that the location is not in asafe zone and can then present a local audio alert and/or transmit asignal to the earphone presumably being left behind (e.g., via the otherearphone).

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process 1100 for coordinatingpresentation of an alert pertaining to an electronic accessory of amaster electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

At block 1105 a, a master electronic device can generate and transmit alocate-accessory signal. The locate-accessory signal can be generated,for example, in response to detecting a locate-accessory input (e.g.,received locally at the master electronic device or remotely). Asanother example, the locate-accessory signal can be generated upondetecting that a locate-accessory condition has been satisfied based onone or more connection attributes. The locate-accessory signal caninclude an identifier of the electronic accessory that can beassociated, for example, with a locate-accessory input orlocate-accessory condition satisfaction.

At block 1105 b, an electronic accessory (e.g., a primary or secondaryelectronic accessory) can receive the locate-accessory signal, and atblock 1110, the electronic accessory can estimate its position. Theposition can include one or more angular and/or orientation positionsand/or an estimation as to whether the accessory is being worn (e.g.,generally or by a particular person). The position estimation can beaccomplished using data collected from one or more environmental sensorson the accessory, such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, heartmonitor, etc. In some instances, one or more sensor readings can becompared to one or more corresponding thresholds to estimate theposition (e.g., whether it is being worn).

The electronic accessory can, for example, repeatedly and/orcontinuously perform block 1110 or perform block 1110 in response todetecting a particular event (e.g., detecting satisfaction of an alertcondition, detecting that a connection attribute has exceeded athreshold, detecting a request for the position, detecting thelocate-accessory signal, and so on).

At block 1115 a, the other electronic accessory can generate andtransmit a position-identifying signal that includes and/or isindicative of the position. In the depicted instance, theposition-identifying signal can indicate that the accessory is in aperson's ear (e.g., due to one or more sensor measurements included inthe signal or an indication in the signal that the accessory isestimated as being in a person's ear). In some instances, meretransmission of the signal is itself indicative of the transmission(e.g., it can be selectively transmitted when it is estimated that theother electronic accessory is being worn).

The master electronic device can receive the position-identifying signalat block 1115 b and present an indication (e.g., a visual notification)that the accessory is estimated to be in a person's ear at block 1120.The indication can be presented along with an option to nonethelessinitiate an audio alert on the electronic accessory. In some instances,the indication can be presented with location information.

At block 1125, it can be determined that the alert option was selected.In response, the master electronic device can generate and transmit analert-instruction signal at block 1130 a. Generation and/or transmissionof the alert-instruction signal can be conditioned upon determining thatthe alert option was selected. The alert-instruction signal can includeone or more characteristics of an alert to be presented (e.g., a tone,intensity, temporal dynamic variation, and/or whether a warning is to bepresented in advance of an alert).

At block 1130 b, the electronic accessory can receive thealert-instruction signal, and at block 1135, the electronic accessorycan present an alert (e.g., in accordance with any characteristics ofthe alert as identified in the signal or otherwise defined). In someinstance, the alert includes an audio stimulus, such as a sustainedtone, pulsed sound or verbal communication. A verbal communication can,for example, indicate that an effort is being made to locate theaccessory or identify information about a user associated with theaccessory (e.g., a phone number). A verbal communication can alsoprecede another audio stimulus and can serve as a warning for theimpending audio stimulus.

The depicted embodiment of process 1100 includes direct communicationsbetween a master electronic device and an electronic accessory. It willbe appreciated that indirect communications are also contemplated. Forexample, the electronic accessory that presents the alert can include asecondary electronic accessory, and communications between the secondelectronic accessory and the master electronic device can be transmittedvia a primary electronic accessory. In various embodiments, the primaryelectronic accessory may, or may not, perform additional actions beyondsimply relaying data and instructions. For example, the primaryelectronic accessory can receive a communication from an electronicaccessory with sensor data and itself estimate whether the secondaryelectronic accessory is being worn.

The depicted embodiment of process 1000 pertains to an instance in whichit is estimated that the electronic accessory is in a person's ear. Ifit is estimated that the electronic accessory is not in a person's ear,in some instances, blocks 1115 a-1130 b can be omitted, such that analert is then presented without requiring an additional signal from themaster electronic device. In effect, the locate-accessory signal canthen serve as an alert-instruction signal. In some instances, the masterelectronic device can monitor for a position-identifying signal thatindicates that the accessory is in an ear and can transmit analert-instruction signal upon not detecting such a signal within adefined time period and/or upon detecting a signal indicating that theaccessory is not in an ear.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention can provide a variety oftechniques to track electronic accessories, facilitate locating of lostor stolen electronic accessories, and/or facilitate prevention ofelectronic accessories being forgotten, misplaced or stolen. Suchtechniques can be particularly advantageous with respect to wirelessand/or small electronic accessories, which can be easily dropped and/ormore difficult to visually detect. Embodiments can capitalize ondynamically and repeatedly analyzing the presence and/or characteristicsof short-range connections, which can be correlated with a separationdistance between devices. Further, embodiments can be extended to, notonly devices that are directly connected (e.g., via a single short-rangeconnection), but also to devices that are indirectly connected (e.g.,via multiple short-range connections and/or one or more intermediatedevices).

Embodiments of the present invention, e.g., in methods, apparatus,computer readable media and the like, can be realized using anycombination of dedicated components and/or programmable processorsand/or other programmable devices. The various processes describedherein can be implemented on the same processor or different processorsin any combination. Where components are described as being configuredto perform certain operations, such configuration can be accomplished,e.g., by designing electronic circuits to perform the operation, byprogramming programmable electronic circuits (such as microprocessors)to perform the operation, or any combination thereof. Further, while theembodiments described above may make reference to specific hardware andsoftware components, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatdifferent combinations of hardware and/or software components may alsobe used and that particular operations described as being implemented inhardware might also be implemented in software or vice versa.

Computer programs incorporating various features of the presentinvention may be encoded and stored on various computer readable storagemedia; suitable media include magnetic disk or tape, optical storagemedia such as compact disk (CD) or DVD (digital versatile disk), flashmemory, and other non-transitory media. Computer readable media encodedwith the program code may be packaged with a compatible electronicdevice, or the program code may be provided separately from electronicdevices (e.g., via Internet download or as a separately packagedcomputer-readable storage medium).

Thus, although the invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended tocover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:determining, at a first time, that a first electronic accessory is to bedesignated as a primary accessory; in response to the determination thatthe first electronic accessory is to be designated as the primaryaccessory, pairing, at a master electronic device, with the firstelectronic accessory; communicating, at the master electronic device,with a second electronic accessory via the pairing with the firstelectronic accessory, each of the first electronic accessory and thesecond electronic accessory being a wearable electronic accessory andincluding: a receiver configured to receive audio signals; and a speakerconfigured to output at least part of the audio signals received;dynamically determining, based on an assessment of a proximity of one orboth of the first electronic accessory and the second electronicaccessory to the master electronic device, whether the designation is tobe changed to designate another electronic accessory as the primaryaccessory; determining, as a result of the dynamic determination and ata second time with is after the first time, that the second electronicaccessory is to be designated as the primary accessory; in response tothe determination that the second electronic accessory is to bedesignated as the primary accessory, pairing, at the master electronicdevice, with the second electronic accessory; and communicating, at themaster electronic device, with the first electronic accessory via thepairing with the second electronic accessory.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the determining that the second electronic accessory is to bedesignated as the primary accessory is based on a defined pairing order.3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first electronic accessoryand the second electronic accessory includes an earphone.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein: communicating with the second electronic accessoryvia the pairing with the first electronic accessory includes:transmitting a first master-device signal from the master electronicdevice to the first electronic accessory, wherein the firstmaster-device signal includes a primary channel to influence anoperation of the first electronic accessory and a secondary channel toinfluence an operation of the second electronic accessory, and whereinthe first master-device signal is not transmitted directly to the secondelectronic accessory; and communicating with the first electronicaccessory via the pairing with the second electronic accessory includes:transmitting a second master-device signal from the master electronicdevice to the second electronic accessory, wherein the secondmaster-device signal includes a primary channel to influence anoperation of the second electronic accessory and a secondary channel toinfluence an operation of the first electronic accessory, and whereinthe second master-device signal is not transmitted directly to the firstelectronic accessory.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: communicatingwith the second electronic accessory via the pairing with the firstelectronic accessory includes: receiving, at the master electronicdevice, a first connection-indicative signal from the first electronicaccessory that includes a first connection attribute that is indicativeof a presence or a characteristic of an accessory-to-accessoryconnection between the first electronic accessory and the secondelectronic accessory; and communicating with the first electronicaccessory via the pairing with the second electronic accessory includes:receiving, at the master electronic device, a secondconnection-indicative signal from the second electronic accessory thatincludes a second connection attribute that is indicative of a presenceor a characteristic of the accessory-to-accessory connection between thefirst electronic accessory and the second electronic accessory.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein pairing with the first electronic accessoryincludes establishing a first Bluetooth Low Energy pairing, and whereinpairing with the second electronic accessory includes establishing asecond Bluetooth Low Energy pairing.
 7. A system, comprising: one ormore data processors; and a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium containing instructions which when executed on the one or moredata processors, cause the one or more data processors to performactions including: determining, at a first time, that a first electronicaccessory is to be designated as a primary accessory; in response to thedetermination that the first electronic accessory is to be designated asthe primary accessory, pairing, at a master electronic device, with thefirst electronic accessory; communicating, at the master electronicdevice, with a second electronic accessory via the pairing with thefirst electronic accessory, each of the first electronic accessory andthe second electronic accessory being a wearable electronic accessoryand including: a receiver configured to receive audio signals; and aspeaker configured to output at least part of the audio signalsreceived; dynamically determining whether the designation is to bechanged to designate another electronic accessory as the primaryaccessory; determining, as a result of the dynamic determination and ata second time with is after the first time, that the second electronicaccessory is to be designated as the primary accessory; in response tothe determination that the second electronic accessory is to bedesignated as the primary accessory, pairing, at the master electronicdevice, with the second electronic accessory; and communicating, at themaster electronic device, with the first electronic accessory via thepairing with the second electronic accessory, wherein communicating withthe second electronic accessory via the pairing with the firstelectronic accessory includes transmitting a first master-device signalfrom the master electronic device to the first electronic accessory,wherein the first master-device signal includes a primary channel toinfluence an operation of the first electronic accessory and a secondarychannel to influence an operation of the second electronic accessory,and wherein the first master-device signal is not transmitted directlyto the second electronic accessory; and wherein communicating with thefirst electronic accessory via the pairing with the second electronicaccessory includes transmitting a second master-device signal from themaster electronic device to the second electronic accessory, wherein thesecond master-device signal includes a primary channel to influence anoperation of the second electronic accessory and a secondary channel toinfluence an operation of the first electronic accessory, and whereinthe second master-device signal is not transmitted directly to the firstelectronic accessory.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the determiningthat the second electronic accessory is to be designated as the primaryaccessory is based on an assessment of a proximity of one or both of thefirst electronic accessory and the second electronic accessory to themaster electronic device.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein thedetermining that the second electronic accessory is to be designated asthe primary accessory is based on a defined pairing order.
 10. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein each of the first electronic accessory andthe second electronic accessory includes an earphone.
 11. The system ofclaim 7, wherein: communicating with the second electronic accessory viathe pairing with the first electronic accessory further includesreceiving, at the master electronic device, a firstconnection-indicative signal from the first electronic accessory thatincludes a first connection attribute that is indicative of a presenceor a characteristic of an accessory-to-accessory connection between thefirst electronic accessory and the second electronic accessory; andcommunicating with the first electronic accessory via the pairing withthe second electronic accessory further includes receiving, at themaster electronic device, a second connection-indicative signal from thesecond electronic accessory that includes a second connection attributethat is indicative of a presence or a characteristic of theaccessory-to-accessory connection between the first electronic accessoryand the second electronic accessory.
 12. The system of claim 7, whereinpairing with the first electronic accessory includes establishing afirst Bluetooth Low Energy pairing, and wherein pairing with the secondelectronic accessory includes establishing a second Bluetooth Low Energypairing.
 13. A computer-program product tangibly embodied in anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructionsconfigured to cause one or more data processors to perform actionsincluding: determining, at a first time, that a first electronicaccessory is to be designated as a primary accessory; in response to thedetermination that the first electronic accessory is to be designated asthe primary accessory, pairing, at a master electronic device, with thefirst electronic accessory; communicating, at the master electronicdevice, with a second electronic accessory via the pairing with thefirst electronic accessory, each of the first electronic accessory andthe second electronic accessory being a wearable electronic accessoryand including: a receiver configured to receive audio signals; and aspeaker configured to output at least part of the audio signalsreceived; dynamically determining whether the designation is to bechanged to designate another electronic accessory as the primaryaccessory; determining, as a result of the dynamic determination and ata second time with is after the first time, that the second electronicaccessory is to be designated as the primary accessory; in response tothe determination that the second electronic accessory is to bedesignated as the primary accessory, pairing, at the master electronicdevice, with the second electronic accessory; and communicating, at themaster electronic device, with the first electronic accessory via thepairing with the second electronic accessory, wherein communicating withthe second electronic accessory via the pairing with the firstelectronic accessory includes receiving, at the master electronicdevice, a first connection-indicative signal from the first electronicaccessory that includes a first connection attribute that is indicativeof a presence or a characteristic of an accessory-to-accessoryconnection between the first electronic accessory and the secondelectronic accessory; and wherein communicating with the firstelectronic accessory via the pairing with the second electronicaccessory includes receiving, at the master electronic device, a secondconnection-indicative signal from the second electronic accessory thatincludes a second connection attribute that is indicative of a presenceor a characteristic of the accessory-to-accessory connection between thefirst electronic accessory and the second electronic accessory.
 14. Thecomputer-program product of claim 13, wherein the determining that thesecond electronic accessory is to be designated as the primary accessoryis based on an assessment of a proximity of one or both of the firstelectronic accessory and the second electronic accessory to the masterelectronic device.
 15. The computer-program product of claim 13, whereinthe determining that the second electronic accessory is to be designatedas the primary accessory is based on a defined pairing order.
 16. Thecomputer-program product of claim 13, wherein each of the firstelectronic accessory and the second electronic accessory includes anearphone.
 17. The computer-program product of claim 13, wherein:communicating with the second electronic accessory via the pairing withthe first electronic accessory further includes transmitting a firstmaster-device signal from the master electronic device to the firstelectronic accessory, wherein the first master-device signal includes aprimary channel to influence an operation of the first electronicaccessory and a secondary channel to influence an operation of thesecond electronic accessory, and wherein the first master-device signalis not transmitted directly to the second electronic accessory; andcommunicating with the first electronic accessory via the pairing withthe second electronic accessory further includes transmitting a secondmaster-device signal from the master electronic device to the secondelectronic accessory, wherein the second master-device signal includes aprimary channel to influence an operation of the second electronicaccessory and a secondary channel to influence an operation of the firstelectronic accessory, and wherein the second master-device signal is nottransmitted directly to the first electronic accessory.
 18. Thecomputer-program product of claim 13, wherein pairing with the firstelectronic accessory includes establishing a first Bluetooth Low Energypairing, and wherein pairing with the second electronic accessoryincludes establishing a second Bluetooth Low Energy pairing.